Lambie returns for Sharks in play-off against Highlanders

DURBAN - THE Sharks will have Springbok fly half Pat Lambie on their bench for tonight's Super Rugby play-off with the Highlanders at Kings Park.

Lambie returns from four months out with a torn biceps injury and takes the place of Fred Zeilinga, with Frans Steyn continuing in the ten position.

Steyn directs an unchanged backline while the forward pack is also the same, with head coach Jake White saying that losing to the Highlanders earlier in the season is possibly a positive to his side's mind-set going into the qualifier game.

"In a lot of ways, it's probably a good thing for us, a boost that they beat us. Had we beaten them comfortably perhaps we would have gone into this game thinking it was a fait accompli. In a lot of ways we get to have another crack at them.

"There is no doubt this is a team that can score tries, they have the players. When they are on song, they can perform — they beat some big teams this year. But, in saying that, the nice thing we have in our favour is that we lost to them.

"I know I don't have to talk much this week. The players will know it's not just going to happen.

"I think in a lot of ways, we were on a high in that pool game back in April, about to tour, and we ended up losing that game. We'll be a lot more focussed this week."